Jermod McCoy has finally had his name announced in the NFL Draft.

Jermod McCoy Lands with the Raiders

The wait is finally over for Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy.

Regarded as a potential top-15 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, McCoy faced a challenging road. After being selected in the first round, he found himself sidelined on the second day due to medical issues related to a knee injury he had before the season began. By the time the fourth round rolled around, there was genuine concern that he might fall further.

However, the Las Vegas Raiders decided to take action, moving up a spot at the beginning of the fourth round to draft McCoy as their new cornerback.

Based on his performances in the 2024 season at Tennessee, he definitely emerged as one of the standout players in this draft. For instance, take a look at his interception against Alabama in the end zone.

This play highlights one of McCoy’s key strengths: his patience in press coverage. He doesn’t let himself become flustered when a receiver tries to gain an advantage. Instead, he waits for the right moment to strike, executing a perfect jam before shifting his focus to the ball.

Another noteworthy moment was during a critical 4th-and-2 situation against Florida. Positioned at the bottom of the screen, McCoy adeptly read the receiver’s movement. Despite the receiver’s initial cut, McCoy maintained his composure, keeping his eyes on the quarterback and ultimately making contact with the football.

In another similar scenario, once again at the bottom of the screen, McCoy remained unfazed. Even when the receiver attempted to leverage outside, he skillfully adjusted and moved to intercept the throw, making another attempt at a pass breakup.

Consider his skills on that interception against Vanderbilt. It’s plays like these that have earned McCoy top marks on various draft boards.

That said, there are serious medical concerns to consider. Following ACL surgery before the start of the 2025 season, recent reports suggest he might require a second surgery to address a “bone plug” in his knee. This poses certain risks for the Raiders.

But snagging him at the top of the fourth round? It really seems like a valuable pick for Las Vegas. Given that the Raiders are in a rebuilding phase, they could take their time with McCoy, possibly treating the 2026 season as a redshirt year to help him fully recover.